Strobilanthes oligantha Miq.
Aliases：Zǐ Yún Cài (Purple Cloud Herb), Dāo Qiāng Yào (Knife and Spear Medicine), Líng Chóng Huā (Bell Insect Flower).
Zǐ Yún Yīng Mǎ Lán is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, derived from the dried whole plant of Strobilanthes oligantha Miq. (also known as Championella oligantha (Miq.) Bremek.), a plant belonging to the family Acanthaceae (genus Strobilanthes, or broadly the genus Championella). This plant is a perennial herb, 30–60 cm tall, with swollen, geniculate nodes at the base and quadrangular stems with grooves. The leaves are opposite, broadly ovate to elliptic, 4–10 cm long and 2–6 cm wide, with sparsely serrate margins. Several flowers are clustered into capitate spikes, with pale purple corollas. One of its aliases, “Dāo Qiāng Yào” (Knife and Spear Medicine), reflects its hemostatic effect on traumatic bleeding.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and calms convulsions; stops bleeding. It is also recorded as having the effects of clearing heat and cooling the blood, cooling the blood and resolving maculae, and relieving sore throat and reducing swelling.
Indications
Indicated for common cold with fever, febrile disease with昏厥 (syncope) (high fever with delirium, febrile convulsions), and traumatic bleeding. It may also be used for sore throat due to toxic heat accumulation, fever in warm diseases, and skin maculae due to blood heat causing reckless movement of blood.
Ingredients
Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Zǐ Yún Yīng Mǎ Lán contains various active components with certain antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 15–30 g. Some sources also document 0.5–1 liǎng (approximately 15–30 g), used in formulas. For external use: apply an appropriate amount of fresh herb, crushed and applied topically to the affected area.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with Spleen deficiency and loose stools—as this herb is cold in nature and may impair the Yang Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. Should be used under the guidance of a physician.
Selected Formulas
For common cold with fever and febrile disease with syncope (empirical formula) Take 15–30g of Zi Yunying Malan (Strobilanthes oliganthus), decoct in water and drink. For traumatic bleeding (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of fresh Zi Yunying Malan, crush and apply externally to the wound.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture.
